The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, has accused Seyi Tinubu — son of President Bola Tinubu — of leading an armed group that violently disrupted the student body’s inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday at The Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Isah described a harrowing attack involving thugs allegedly wielding guns and cutlasses. According to him, several attendees were injured, and personal belongings, including mobile phones, were stolen in the chaos.
“Seyi Tinubu came to the venue with a large number of security men and gave instructions for the event to be stopped,” Isah stated. “Despite this, we proceeded with the inauguration. But as soon as Senator Ibrahim Shekarau began his speech, the thugs stormed in, stabbing attendees and causing mayhem.”
Among the high-profile guests reportedly targeted were former Minister of Education and two-term Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, and former Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada — both of whom were swiftly evacuated by their security personnel.
Isah further alleged that the attack was politically motivated, linking it to an earlier attempt by Seyi Tinubu’s aides to silence him with a bribe of ₦100 million — an offer he claims to have rejected.
“They first tried to buy my silence,” Isah said. “After I refused, they came with violence. Seyi’s thugs, led by someone known as Ladoja, beat people, injured me, and tried to assassinate me. Nigerians should plead with Seyi to let me live.”
According to Isah, hotel management was allegedly instructed to shut down the premises during the incident, effectively trapping guests inside.
Attempts by journalists to reach Senator Shekarau and Captain Wada for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
The NANS inauguration followed months of internal disputes and reports of external interference, with some students previously accusing Seyi Tinubu of attempting to impose his preferred candidate during the NANS convention held in February.
While Seyi Tinubu has not issued any public response as of the time of this report, NANS leadership had earlier denied any political involvement in its affairs, describing such claims as false and destabilizing.
The attack has raised broader concerns about student autonomy and the rising tide of political interference in youth-led organizations in Nigeria.
